I hear alot of info & advice about building the 455, but what about a 400? It is a 69 GS block, non stage, with correct casting # heads. The block is completely gutted, and was wondering what special instructions to tell my machinist. I hear about enlarging the oil passages on the 455. Can someone tell me specifically what to tell the machinist, or does it matter on this block? I need some info pretty quick. I'm taking everything in on Friday. The heads are stock, so what are the best things to tell him to do on these to try and achieve 425-450hp. I hear to just port match the heads with stock intake, opening the runners and milling the intake bore down, instead of wasting the $$ on a Performer. Any suggestions??? Thanks.
I had the suction passage from the pickup tube to the front of the block opened up from 1/2" to 5/8" and installed a 5/8" pickup tube. You should also get the same passages in the timing cover opened up, you can either have your cover modified, buy a modified used cover, or buy a new cover from TA. Having JW or TA set up the cover for you will be worth the money, I have almost 70psi when cold and it only drops to 45psi at hot idle. Get rebuilt rockershafts also, you donate a lot of oil pressure to worn rocker shafts. Dual Groove cam bearings also a must. Lots of other stuff that I'm sure folks will key you in on. Good Luck
I opened a thread about this a few days ago, and got very few replies. I was told that the later 400 blocks (late 69) have the water jackets for the 455. Do you know if this is true? Also, Rob, what about my heads? Port and match to the stock intake, along with some port work on the intake? Or, buy a performer and port match the heads to it? I'm wanting to keep the ram air assembly. I'm trying to decide on the cam. Either TA's C113 or 112. Any suggestions?
I was thinking about a TCI Breakaway converter to go along with the rest of the package. The car currently has 3:42 posi. What type of lifters would you recommend for the 113? One more thing... the carb that is on the car is a 68 350 qjet. Can that carb be modified enough for the combo I plan, or should I look for a 850cfm qjet? Thanks!:beer
I had always been a fan of TCI untill earlier this summer, my buddies Javelin went in for a Trans Rebuild, he was running a TCI 3000 stall converter. The shop split it open and called him out to look at it immediately, the workmanship was crap. Now maybe that was an item that TCI subbed out, but after looking at it, I will by somewhere else.
